Cream puffs are a timeless dessert loved for their light, airy texture and rich creamy filling. These delicate pastries are made from pâte à choux dough, which puffs beautifully in the oven and creates a hollow center perfect for filling.
This recipe for Cream Puffs with Mom’s Celebrated Filling combines golden, crispy pastry shells with a smooth vanilla cream filling that melts in your mouth. The contrast between the delicate pastry and the creamy interior makes every bite irresistible.
Whether served for a family gathering, holiday dessert, or afternoon treat, these cream puffs always impress with their elegant appearance and delicious flavor.
Ingredients
For the Cream Puffs
1 stick butter (½ cup)
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs
For Mom’s Celebrated Filling
½ quart (2 cups) heavy cream
1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding
⅓ cup milk
Instructions
Prepare the Cream Puff Dough
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a saucepan, combine water, butter, and vanilla and bring the mixture to a boil.
Add the flour and stir constantly until the mixture forms a smooth dough and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
Remove the pan from heat and allow the dough to cool for about 5 minutes.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until the dough becomes smooth and glossy.
Drop spoonfuls of dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets. This recipe makes about 8 large cream puffs.
Bake for approximately 40 minutes until the puffs become golden brown and fully expanded.
For best results, poke a small hole in each puff after baking and leave them in the oven with the door slightly open while they cool. This helps release steam and prevents the puffs from collapsing.
Continue to the next page for the filling, tips, variations, and storage instructions.
Prepare the Filling
